Shopping Centers and the Malls of Brussels

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Got an urge to go shopping for something special?
Well here are some choices for designer fashions, gifts, and more:

Anspach Center
Boulevard Anspach
100 Brussels

Basilix Shopping Center
420 Avenue Charles-Quint
1082 Brussels

City 2
Rue Neuve 123
1000 Brussels

Espace Galerie Louise
Av de la Toison d’Or Goulet Louise
1050 Brussels

Fort Jaco Shopping Center
1384 Chee de Waterloo
1180 Brussels

Galerie Toison d’Or
Av de la Toison d’Or
1050 Brussels

Galerie Saint Hubert
Galerie de la Reine
1000 Brussels

Shopping Center de la Bascule
Chee de Waterloo 699
1180 Brussels

Wesland Shopping Center
433 Boulevard S. Dupuis
1070 Brussels

Woluwe Shopping Center
Croisement Boulevard de le Woluwe
Avenue Paul Hymans
1200 Brussels

Golfing in Belgium near Brussels

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Golf in Brussels

Brussels is surrounded by the beautiful green countryside of Belgium, and offers some fine golfing for enthusiasts. Contact the Federation Royale Belge de Golf online at www.golfbelgium.be for more information about golfing.

Here is a list of the best near Brussels:

Royal Amicale Anderlecht Golf
18 Holes
Rue Scholle 1, 1070 Brussels
02 521 16 87
Fax 02 521 51 56

Golf du Chateau de la Bawette
27 Holes
Chee du Chateau de la Bawette 5
1300 Wavre
010 22 33 32
Fax 010 22 90 04

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A Quick History of Belgium, Brussels, and Bruges

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A Quick History of Belgium, Brussels, and Bruges

Around 57 BC Rome extended its empire into the area now known as Belgium; it was inhabited by a Celtic tribe calling themselves the Belgae. Julius Caesar named the region Gallia Belgica, and Rome held power here until the fourth century AD, when the Franks took control. Word was that the Franks (a Germanic tribe) were actually Roman mercenaries, who were paid off with a reward of this area, which was called Gaul by then.

The Franks established their own dynasty, the Merovingian, and made its capitol in Tournai. By the year 500 AD the Romans had been completely eliminated from the area, which included Belgium, as well as large areas of France and Germany. The emperor Clovis adopted Christianity, and gained the support of the Church. (There are some fascinating footnotes to this historical period to be found in Dan Brown’s excellent novel “The Da Vinci Code”).

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Telephone Numbers for Brussels and Belgium

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EMERGENCY CALLS

Fire and emergency medical services : 100

Police : 101

MEDICAL SERVICES

Poison control center : 070/245.245

Burn center : 02/268.62.00

Red cross : 105

Dentists on call : 02/426.10.26

Doctors on call : 02/479.18.18

HELP BY PHONE

Telephone welcome : 106 (NL) – 107 (FR)

Alcoholics anonymous : 02/537.82.24

Info-drugs : 02/227.52.52

Child Focus (Missing children) : 110

Info-aids : 02/511.45.29

Suicide prevention : 0800.32.123

INFORMATION

For a telephone Number in Belgium :

1207 (NL) – 1307 (FR) – 1405 (EN) – 1407 (D)

For a telephone number abroad :

1204 (NL) – 1304 (FR) – 1405 (EN) – 1404 (D) Time : 1200 (NL) – 1300 (FR)

Wake up calls (automatic) : 0800-51248 (NL) – 0800-51348 (FR)

TRANSPORT

Tramway-Metro-Bus : 02/515.20.00

Airport : 02/753.42.00

Holidays in the Czech Republic

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Holidays for 2006 are:
January 1 Novy rok (New Year’s Day)
May 1 Svatek prace (May Day)
May 5 Kvetnove povstani ceskeho lidu 1945 (Prague Uprising 1945)
May 8 Den osvobozeni od fasismu 1945 (Liberation from Fascism Day 1945)
July 5 Den slovanskych verozvestu Cyrila a Metodeje (St. Cyril & St. Methodius Day)
July 6 Mistr Jan Hus 1415 (John Huss Day)
September 28 Day of Czech Statehood
October 28 Den vzniku samostatneho ceskoslovenskeho statu 1918 (Independence Day)
November 17 Den boje studentu za svobodu a demokracii 1989 (Students’ fight for freedom and democracy 1989)
December 24 Stedry den (Christmas Eve)
December 25 Svatek vanocni 1 (Christmas)
December 26 Svatek vanocni 2 (2nd day of Christmas)

Holidays for Czech Republic for 2005 include:
January 1 Novy rok (New Year’s Day)
March 28 Pondeli velikonocni (Easter Monday)
May 1 Svatek prace (May Day)
May 5 Kvetnove povstani ceskeho lidu 1945 (Prague Uprising 1945)
May 8 Den osvobozeni od fasismu 1945 (Liberation from Fascism Day 1945)
July 5 Den slovanskych verozvestu Cyrila a Metodeje (St. Cyril & St. Methodius Day)
July 6 Mistr Jan Hus 1415 (John Huss Day)
October 28 Den vzniku samostatneho ceskoslovenskeho statu 1918 (Independence Day)
November 17 Den boje studentu za svobodu a demokracii 1989 (Students’ fight for freedom and democracy 1989)
December 24 Stedry den (Christmas Eve)
December 25 Svatek vanocni 1 (Christmas)
December 26 Svatek vanocni 2 (2nd day of Christmas)

Polish History

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Poland’s History

966 – Poland is born, and most importantly, recognized by THE church.

1000 – Boleslaw the Brave King of Poland crowned by German Emperor Otto III, who also recognizes the Polish state’s existence.

1225 – Recently unemployed Teutonic German crusaders brought in to re-establish order against invading Lithuanians, Jacwingians, and Prussians.

1241-42 – Mongol expansion into Europe crushed as Poland and Lituania expand eastward.

13th thru 14th Centuries – Poland expands further eastward, while giving up Denmark, Bohemia and Volhynia.

1346 – During the reign of the Great Kazimierz, a law was passed offering sanctuary to Jews fleeing other European countries, allowing them to settle here.

1410 – Poland and Lithuania defeat the Teutonics.

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Polish Food

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Food of Poland

While travelling from Warsaw to Krakow recently I met a character that detested root vegetables. I asked why, and she replied that the sisters in her boarding school as a child forced her to eat all sorts of them, leaving a bad memory – and taste – in her mouth. I wondered why she was travelling in Poland, Motherland of all Root Vegetables, but soon realized the beauty of the countryside and the friendly people was a major reason for anyone to visit here.

Some of the best things to eat here are anything made with the abundance of fresh produce to be found in Poland. Here are some of the things I tried, and liked.

Soups – Zupa Grzybowa is cream of mushroom soup, and made with the local bolete mushrooms for the best flavor. Grochowka is a yellow split pea soup with potatoes, carrots, and also sausage. A rather hearty stew indeed. Although I didn’t try it, Flaki is also a popular soup in Poland. It’s tripe soup, with lots of pepper, ginger and marjoram – an unusual flavor combination, and the Warsaw natives add a topping of grated cheese. I did enjoy a bowl of Zupa Szczawiowa, which is another cream soup, made with sorrel leaves, and included a hard-boiled egg. But one of the most popular offerings for soup seemed to be Czysty Barszcz Czerwony, a clear red soup made with beet roots, garlic and mushrooms.

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Calpe Spain

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If you still have not decided as to where you can go for your budget holidays to Spain, you should consider visiting the beautiful paradise of Calpe. Because of its geographic location, you and your family, especially the kids can do so many fun activities here. Not only that, since it is strategically placed in the center of many markets and restaurants, you can do shopping and dine in authentic European restaurants without spending much. Indeed, this place is one of the best tourist destinations in Spain.

Piñon de Ifach and Port

Between Valencia to the north, and Alicante to the south, the town of Calpe is dominated by the almost 800 foot tall ‘Piñon de Ifach,’ or the rock of Ifach. The rock itself juts out into the sea as imposingly as does Gibraltar, and is a beautiful protected mountain wilderness area.

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Costa Blanca and the Marina Alta of Spain

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The incredible Costa Blanca

 

Along the Costa Blance in Spain, is an area jutting out into the Mediterranean Sea known as the Marina Alta. This cape is stunningly beautiful with many dramatic views, fresh breezes along the cliffs; and is known as the warmest and driest place on the European continent. The towns around this point of land are Javea in the north, Teulada-Benitachell, Moraira, and in the south, Calpe. The villages along the coast feature heavily developed tourist facilities, smaller towns inland, and many vast areas of villas coating the surrounding hillsides. Here and there you can find evidence of the ancient areas of grapes and olives that once covered the hillside terraces. The mountains in the area offer hiking and horseback trails, and the beaches have plenty of water sports to choose from. Yachtsmen will find many large marinas along this coast, with berths for visiting vessels, and some have haul out facilities for repairs.

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Fuerteventura and the Canary Islands (Islas Canarias)

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Fuerteventura is one of the Canary Islands, a part of Spain, that lies 60 miles off the coast of Morocco. Like the other Canaries, it’s a volcanic island, with extinct volcanoes and cinder cones dotting the landscape in every direction. Like the nearby Sahara desert, the sun shines almost every day of the year here.

Fuerteventura boasts some of the best beaches in all Europe. Long stretches of fine white sand embrace the coastline. Crystal clear aqua water laps it’s shores. The dry, mild climate makes Fuerteventura an ideal destination anytime of the year. Constant winds, and the surrounding sea act to moderate temperatures. Water temperatures vary from about 65-80 F. depending upon season.


Jandia Beach, Morro Jable Continue reading →